Lily Pullen

Oskaloosa sophomore Lily Pullen was arguably the best player in Pratt last week at the 2-1A State Softball Tournament.

The Bears captured their first State Championship in school history, and it was her performance inside the circle that made her stand out above the rest.

In the 3-1 win in the quarterfinals against Central Heights, Lily pitched all seven innings allowing one unearned run on two hits with 13 strikeouts.

In the 1-0 win in the semifinals against top-seed Dexter/Cedar Vale, Lily pitched all seven innings holding arguable the best lineup in the field to just three hits with 10 strikeouts.

The Bears dominated the title game against Inman, winning 8-1, and Lily once again dominated. She pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with 13 strikeouts.

State Tournament Pitching Stats: 21 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 36 SO

Season Pitching Stats: 13-0 record, 82 IP, 35 H, 15 BB, 180 SO, 0.429 ERA

She missed the first 12 games of the season with broken ribs. Four of the five losses for the Bears this season came in those first 12 games that Lily missed. When Lily returned to the lineup, the Bears won 17 of 18 games.

Lily was a First Team All-League selection in the Northeast Kansas League this season and more than likely is on her way to an All-State selection in 2025.